TEMPLES-DESERT DAZE CARAVAN play Glasshouse Mar.2, Pappy & Harriet’s Mar. 3, Regent Theater Mar. 4, Belly Up Mar. 5; photo James Christopher
UK band Temples return to SoCal this time headlining the Desert Daze Caravan with Night Beats, Deap Vally, Froth, and JJUUJJUU. The Glasshouse in Pomona is the first stop on Mar. 2, continuing to Pappy & Harriet’s Mar. 3, Regent Theater Mar. 4, wrapping up at Belly Up Mar. 5 before heading out of the area.
The four-piece group formed in 2012, playing multiple festivals in Europe before headlining their own UK tour at the end of 2013 in support of their debut album Sun Structures. Their followup Volcano coincides with the tour, with a Mar. 3 release date.
Concert Guide Live conducted the following interview in 2014 with Adam Smith (keyboards/guitar/vocals).
CGL: What can fans look forward to when going to see Temples?
TEMPLES: A full sounding representation of our songs, with bits and bobs, here and there, added and modified by four floppy haired Ketteringites.
CGL: How would you describe Temples to someone who isn’t familiar with your music?
TEMPLES: The word ‘psychedelic’ is used a lot to describe our sound, but we like to think that doesn’t quite fit. We are fans of songs and the art of songwriting, so the music is based around songs primarily, but from an unusual angle.
CGL: What inspires the music of Temples? Are there certain bands or an era that some or all of you are drawn to?
TEMPLES: We are all interested in different types of music. We all love bands from the 1960s/70s like Gong, Pink Floyd, McDonald & Giles, The Beatles, etc. We’ve been listening to a lot of Nick Nicely lately n’all.
CGL: How did you come up with the name for your band?
TEMPLES: Tom (Warmsley, bass) came up with it, he’s not in the van at the moment so I can’t divulge.
CGL: You’ve all been in other bands but Temples seems to be taking off rather quickly worldwide. What do you think it is about this group that seems to be connecting with people?
TEMPLES: I don’t know if we really understand why, there’s no formula. I guess there is a psychedelic thing happening at the moment, but who knows. We’re happy about it all though.
CGL: The album “Sun Structures” came out a few months ago in the states. Who does the songwriting? Is it a collaborate venture or is there a primary songwriter?
TEMPLES: James (Bagshaw, lead vocals/guitar) and Tom do most of the songwriting, as me, and Sam (Toms, drums) joined a little too late.
CGL: Do you have a preference between recording and live performance?
TEMPLES: I personally enjoy bits of both more than others. Both forms can link in with the other also, when that happens it is great. Way to sit on the fence ay.
CGL: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
TEMPLES: Flying Foxes.